Mpumelelo Mhlongo open to coaching and giving back to the sport

The 32-year-old, who has been competing for 11 years, has told SABC Sport that he is open to becoming a coach when he eventually hangs up his spikes.

Mhlongo, who competes in the T44 classification in the 100m, 200m and long jump, says he would like to give back to the sport that has given him so much. 

"My coach always says I will make a good coach, although I always tell him that a coach needs patience, and I don't think I have that patience for coaching just yet. I'm already doing a bit of mentoring, but I would need to upskill myself in order to get the right qualifications behind me. Just because you do something doesn't always mean you can help others achieve their dreams."

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Mhlongo, who holds records in the 100m, 200m and long jump, is also enjoying life away from the track.

The KwaZulu-Natal-born athlete is a full-time employee at Investec and says balancing his career with his athletics has been a valuable learning experience.

The 2024 Paralympic gold medallist has one big wish for the future of para-sport.

Mhlongo wants more corporate companies to understand the value of Paralympic sport and increase their investment and support for athletes.

"My biggest wish is that I wake up in a world in which a lot of South African corporates understand that para-athletics and para-sport is an investable business. The human stories and the journeys athletes have walked is incredible, but they are hardly given the light of day in a society that still keeps disable people on the fringes."

Mhlongo also reflected on some of the biggest moments of his remarkable 11-year career.

The 32-year-old has enjoyed a decade of dominance in the sprints and long jump, establishing himself as one of the leading para-athletes in the world.